Medical Marijuana Patients on the Rise in Michigan

Since passage of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act in 2008, the number of patients registered in the program has been steadily increasing. According to the Michigan Bureau of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), there were 178,629 active registered patients in the program during the 2014 fiscal year. For fiscal year 2015, LARA reports that the state received 81,090 applications for new patient registrations. The number of registered patients has increased steadily over the last four years and is expected to continue to grow. Increased awareness of the program, reduced stigma surrounding marijuana use and increasingly promising research about its effectiveness have drawn interest from members of all walks of Michigan life.

With each passing year, coverage in the news and conversations in the community have helped the curious get information about the program. Increased awareness of qualifying medical conditions has led greater numbers of patients to speak with a doctor regarding certification. The most recent statistics reveal that 92% of patients cited chronic pain on their applications, making it the number one reason for seeking a medical marijuana registration. Severe and persistent muscle spasms were cited by 23% of applicants, nausea affected 9% and with cancer patients comprising 4%.

With the increased presence of medical marijuana use in the community, the way marijuana use is viewed is changing; a culture of acceptance has begun to grow. With news that the American Medical Association supports medical marijuana use, and that marijuana is only as addictive as caffeine, a growing number of patients who haven’t found relief in traditional medicine are turning to this powerful natural alternative. For patients who suffer from severe neuropathy and nerve pain, medical marijuana has been found to be a more effective treatment than opioid pain medications, and has been associated with reduced narcotic use. For cancer patients, medical marijuana has been a powerful ally by providing pain and nausea relief with the added benefit of possessing anti-tumor properties. The primary side effect of medical marijuana use is a euphoric feeling, which provides healing comfort from chronic pain and illness.